Israel to recruit additional 2,300 Nepali caregivers for long-term care centers

KATHMANDU — Israel is set to recruit an additional 2,300 Nepali assistant workers (caregivers) for employment in long-term care centres (Beit Avot/Betavod) under the government-to-government (G2G) labour agreement between Nepal and Israel.

The Department of Foreign Employment said preparations are underway to issue a new public notice for recruitment based on the quota allocated to Nepal by Israeli authorities.

According to officials, Israel’s Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA), based in Jerusalem, had sent a fresh labour quota to Nepal in February 2026. However, the recruitment process was temporarily put on hold due to Nepal’s parliamentary election-related processes and escalating tensions in West Asia.

Under the labour agreement signed between Nepal and Israel, PIBA is required to initiate the recruitment process within 40 days of sending the labour demand letter, meaning Nepal is now preparing to move forward with the selection process.

Director General of the Department of Foreign Employment, Mira Acharya, said the ministry has already directed authorities to proceed with the process.

“We have already received the new demand letter from PIBA, and instructions have also been received from the Ministry of Labour to issue a new recruitment notice for worker selection,” Acharya said.

Israel had previously conducted the second phase of caregiver recruitment on August 29, selecting 2,112 workers through a lucky draw system from among 3,262 eligible applicants.

Of those selected, around 1,900 Nepali caregivers have already reached Israel for employment, while the remaining process continues.

Importantly, 1,154 candidates who qualified but were not selected in the previous lucky draw will be eligible to participate again, according to Israeli authorities. However, they must first pass the required English language examination.

Candidates who have remained on the waiting list for over a year have urged authorities to prioritize them in the next recruitment cycle.

“Our qualifications met the requirements. Once those selected in the lucky draw have already departed, we should be given priority,” one waiting candidate said.

Nepal’s Ambassador to Israel, Shmulik Arie Bass, said all previously qualified candidates would receive another opportunity to compete under the terms of the bilateral agreement.

“In accordance with the agreement, all 1,154 previously qualified caregiver candidates will be allowed another chance to compete alongside new applicants,” he said in an interview.

The ambassador also praised Nepali workers, stating that Israel considers them to be dedicated, reliable and honest workers, with very few labour-related issues involving Nepali employees.

The latest recruitment will again take place through the government-to-government (G2G) mechanism, under which Nepal first began sending caregivers to Israel’s long-term care centres in August 2022.

Following completion of the first recruitment phase, Nepal launched the second phase of recruitment from Asar 11, 2081 BS (June 25, 2024).

Salary, Eligibility and Working Conditions

Nepali caregivers employed in Israel receive a monthly salary of 5,884 Israeli shekels, equivalent to approximately Rs 300,000 in Nepali currency, although workers are required to bear their own food and accommodation expenses.

To qualify, applicants must be between 25 and 45 years of age, weigh at least 45 kilograms, and meet educational and technical criteria.

Eligible candidates must have either:

• Completed at least Grade 10 and 15 months of study in Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) or CMA-related subjects, or
• Passed Grade 12 or equivalent education and completed a three-month caregiver training course from a Nepal government-recognized institution.

According to the department, selected Nepali workers will be employed in long-term care centres assisting persons with severe disabilities under the age of 65, providing caregiving and daily support services.

The new recruitment drive is expected to attract strong interest among Nepali youth, as overseas employment opportunities in Israel remain among the highest-paying foreign labour destinations available to skilled Nepali caregivers.